Quiet Life

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

On Saturday morning I watch CBS Saturday Morning. My very favorite part of this show is when they highlight a chef. They tell the chef's story, have a big table filled with food and usually a drink.
And they interview the chef and have them sign a white plate and tell who they would most list to share 'this' meal with.

Something about friendly Julia Turshen had me ordering her cookbook within minutes.

Now. I am a sucker for cookbooks.

But I have to be honest, I rarely make ANYTHING!!

I continue to make my old standbys.

But, I tried Julia's Turkey + Ricotta meatballs.

And they were so easy and delicious, I just have to pass it on.

The small victories:

I made something from a cookbook

It turned out GREAT.

I used ground turkey for the first time.

I ate Turkey + Ricotta meatballs for five days.

Used a side of my ancient grater for the Parmesan cheese and it was amazing.

Friday, January 18, 2019

The days are short,The sun a sparkHung thin betweenThe dark and dark.Fat snowy footstepsTrack the floor,And parkas pile upNear the door.The river isA frozen placeHeld still beneathThe trees' black lace.The sky is low.The wind is gray.The radiatorPurrs all day

Monday, January 07, 2019

The show was fine. Most of my favorites did not win. But I have a nice long list of movies I'm excited to see! I learned about Downton Abbey by watching the Golden Globes so I am grateful to them for that!!!

The big talk was about A Star is Born.

I saw it but when you have loved a movie since your teens, it's impossible to love another more.

I can't tell you how many times I watched the movie and listened to the album.

That being said, Lady Gaga was endearing and spectacular last night!!

Gorgeous Valentino gown. And that Tiffany necklace! Holy Cow!

Maya Rudolph was on the worst list....but I loved her dress.

Julia Roberts was amazing. I love this. She looks gorgeous and happy and stands out in this unusual outfit.

Constance Wu wore a lovely Vera Wang dress. That see thru corset was worn by about five ladies.

I do not like it and wish it was solid and not see thru. It's just not attractive to me BUT

the color of the dress and bow and the shape and fabric made me love it despite that top.

Constance! You forgot your shirt!

The two tone ensemble was popular and apparently I liked it :o)

This dress is perfect and he jewelry is gorge!

I like delicate shoes.

Well....I picked this because I loved it love on the carpet...but this picture makes the skirt look way too long and strange. I do love the blue, black and white. Still choose it...and love pockets.

This was my favorite red dress of the night. I love the interesting texture.

Dakota Fanning wears Armani Prive. Those bows on the back are just the kind of detail that makes me squeal with glee! She looks glorious from the front; that necklace, that perfectly fitting bodice, that icy blue color. Her makeup is elegant and perfect too.

But with all of that....it look the turn to show off those delicate bows to seal the deal....

Thursday, January 03, 2019

I use to love to wander around Marshall Fields and Neiman Marcus to see all the pretty things.

Things I wanted to populate my house.

Hummels.

Waterford.

Muffys

Pillows, blankets, furniture, Christmas decorations....

magazines and antique stores full of cute stuff....

And in the last ten years or so,

I just want to have less.

I am not judging at all. I'm just full up.

I want less clutter. Clutter is messy and hard to clean and we all know

cleaning is not my thing.

But in the last few months, I have been obsessed with Cornishware.

I do not know exactly why,

it's familiar cheery stripes....spotted in movies made in England...

So for Christmas Patrick gave me a butter dish.

(I ordered it from Amazon, from Patrick)

And all I want to do is sell or give away all my china and dansk and plastic plates and buy all Cornishware.

On my box it said 'made in China'. I was pretty disturbed by this because I follow a woman on Instagram and see her decorating/painting the plates every day. I did a little detective work and found that a new owner is working on bringing all the products back to the UK, but for now she is only painting the plates and bowls in England.

Wednesday, January 02, 2019

Hello,
I'm sorry I haven't written since November. We are well.
Nothing out of the ordinary going on.

Thanksgiving was small. No children were able to come home.
Christmas was quiet. Emma and James came to visit.

Shelby and Dottie went to Omaha after Christmas so Katie and I jumped in the car and drove over there to see Matthew, Melinda and their boys and to see Shelby and Dottie.

We saved on shipping. :o)

I couldn't decide on a picture for my Christmas card so I didn't send one.
I made six or seven samples and could not make a decision.

I have been working with an elderly woman weekly.
She is very sweet. Her husband goes to meet friends for lunch and I keep her company.
She misses her husband terribly and I try to make the time go by quickly for her.
I like this "job" a lot, it is difficult but I love being able to help.

I really do like being helpful.

I worked a special ed job for a week and loved it.
Anything I can do to help....I love.

I am not taking many outside recess jobs.... Only very short stints...at schools with 'law and order'.

I saw this little video on Will Smith's Instagram and I could relate.

Somebody asked me the other day How did I define Love? I didn’t have a good answer. I thought about it a little... Here’s my first attempt. :-)

Here are some new pictures of the grandbabies

This reminds me of a 1950's baby photo. I think there is a picture of my hubby that looks like this....same pose that's for sure.

She is perfection

Smiling at mommy.

Good shot of her teeth.

I've honestly never seen little boys love a baby as much as these guys!

They were tender and adoring.

Dottie, 7 mo old.

Katie and I visited Emma and James and Lorelei in Columbia in November.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Today is Zeek's birthday. I watched the boys while Melinda was at the hospital. That was the fall Emma was diagnosed with epilepsy. I was thankful to be with Emma most of October, be there for Matthew and Melinda and then scoot back to Chicago....

It was one of those times in life....

when the delight of new birth and joy was mixed right in with fear and illness.

About Me

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands.
~1 Thess. 4:11
Commonly heard: Add to the Beauty, What happens matters, Encourage one another, Love you. Mean it.